Rest In Him

Have you ever watched a toddler move from one interest to the next - what intrigues him one moment soon becomes a thing of the past as he moves on to the next thing. We laugh at the things that catch his eye, i.e. the toy's box rather than the toy. It would be funny if it weren't so true of our adult nature as well! Genesis 3:6 tells us how Eve "saw that the tree was good for food ... it was a delight to the eyes ... the tree was desirable," which led her to disobey God. The decision [to eat from the tree] changed everything for her and for all of mankind thereafter. Genesis 3:7 describes the result: their (woman and man) eyes were opened. Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth writes of Eve's choice: "Instead of promised rewards, she found herself with a mouthful of worms - shame, guilt, and fear, alienated from her husband and from her God." This inherent sin-nature is the driving force for our ever-seeking wandering heart - not much removed from that toddler. It has been said every person has a "God-shaped hole" - an innate longing of the heart for something outside of itself . Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us God has "put eternity into man's heart."  We are made by The Creator to be in fellowship with Him, within us a desire to connect with Him. The searching leads us to many things yet there is and ever will be only One Who perfectly fills and satisfies that "God-shaped hole." Those whose searching hearts wisely conclude Christ as all-sufficient, find a rest and contentment from the incessant wandering from one thing to another. Jean Sophia Pigott's 1876 hymn has become one of my favorite in recent years: Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art - I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart." Do you find yourself longing for more in this soul-searching world? There is satisfaction, fulfillment, peace and rest ... found in only in the The All-Sufficient Savior ... rest in Him.

Precious Delight

The word "overflow" is not typically associated with anything good! The overflowing of a toilet or a glass or a room at capacity sends us into immediate action or an alternative plan. God tells us in His Word: "Delight yourself in the LORD" (Psalm 97:4). Oh, how I need to preach these words to myself as I often allow circumstances to bring-on anxiety, confusion and fear! Charles Spurgeon writes, "The teaching of these words must seem very surprising to those who are strangers to godliness, but to the sincere believer it is only the statement of obvious truth." (Morning and Evening). Those who have not made it a habit to sit quietly at the feet of The Savior and savor His Presence cannot know know the overflowing and sustaining delight found only in Him. In those moments with Him, a tethering takes place - an attachment, a fastening - of God to His child. The delight of those moments unite me to Him in a way that cannot be explained, only personally experienced. Psalm 34:8 says we must personally "taste and see" His goodness. Overflow is a result of that "taste and see" and it is a ... precious delight.

BLOG BREAK

Enjoying a week with the family  

MWB will resume Monday 06-15
Stay in The Word!
Miles of Smiles, Beverly 

 

Read The Book

It's not uncommon for places to have a "Lost and Found." Our Dustin kept his school's "Lost and Found" in business! During the reign of King Josiah, a discovery was made: "Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD.' And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan who read it. ... Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, 'Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.' And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king." (2 Kings 22:8, 10, NASB). We must not miss the tragedy in spite of such a tremendous discovery: the Book of the Law (God's Word) had been lost! I fear this sounds too much like today. The psalmist wrote, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your Word." (Psalm 119:9, ESV). Purity of heart comes with continual meditation on the pure and perfect words of God. Let's me clear on this matter: the Word of God is never lost. Rather, as a nation, a church and individuals, we have given priority to other things instead of that which is The Lamp to our feet and The Light to our path (Psalm 119:105). The neglect of God's Word always shows itself in our lives. Today - yes, right now - is the perfect time to open His Word and let It re-prioritize our lives. Do not delay - today ... read the Book!

All But Christ

Two-sided tape has its good use and proper place but it's tricky to work with! Once unfurled, its double-sided stickiness makes it stick to everything! Oh, the foolishness of mankind when he attempts to cast off all rule except his own. David wrote of those who say, "let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint] and cast away their cords [of control] from us." (Psalm 2:3 AMP). In other words, there were (and are) those who say, "let me just do my own thing." Perhaps you've heard someone say, "the Lord helps those who help themselves." Those who take the reins of their own lives are surely bound to end up "stuck" where they never intended to be ... stuck! God's response when we are so determined to live as we please, "He Who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion]; the [Sovereign] Lord scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them]." (Verse 4). I'm amazed at my own self-confidence as I plow-on in fool-hearted sufficiency; amazed because I most assuredly end up in the same sticky place as on previous occasions. God graciously and kindly warns us: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5 ESV). You see, God has appointed and firmly installed a King - He is Jesus, the One Who rules and gives us rest. Why do we put ourselves in such a state of distress time and time again when we have an almighty and perfect King! In the face of so many other rulers of the wandering heart, cast-off ... all but Christ.